Discussions

I’m curious to know about testing for ketones. Do you do it? Do you use blood or urine?? Wondering where the cheapest place is for test strips. I’m only a month into Keto and not sure I’m “doing it” right so thought I should test if I could.

like Bayer Ketostix should be around $0.20 per stick.  
 
What's your end goal in this process? Keto isn't healthful in and of itself.

And reducing carbs has helped reduce inflammation so I have less pain and losing a bit of weight won’t hurt either. I’m new to this way of life but have lost ten pounds and have experienced some improvement so I’ll keep at it.

hit the nail on the head!!!! When I first started I used Keto sticks (bought from shoppers dm) and the first couple times showed very little. By the 2nd week it showed moderate levels, which I was both disappointed in and excited about (I texted my wife and told her I knew how excited she felt peeing on the pregnancy test and finding the positive results). Then after a month of weekly checks my levels didn't increase and I am a keto freak where IF I cheat I cheat bad (first 6mths didn't cheat at all) and kick myself out of it completely, but normally, I am 0 carbs and 0 sugars (or as 0 as I can possibly get it). Keto Sticks only show what you're extracting, which is normally only ever at moderate. I have read if you read high levels, you may want to seek medical advice. The only true way to test is through blood work and there is a machine that will test it, which I believe is basically the same as a diabetic machine, just for keto. I never looked into it, cause I assume it is expensive to maintain (just like BG testers).  
Do not get caught up in the hype of testing, after a couple of days IF you are being consistent and honest about your eating you will be in Ketosis. If you have felt like crap (ketoflu) within the first week, you are for sure in ketosis!!!!  
Anyone that claims this is "unhealthy" I would love to see the results of their findings? While this lifestyle may not be right for everyone there is nothing unhealthy about it. It becomes unhealthy when people treat it like a diet and don't strictly stick to it. Yes there is no doubt that if you are wishy washy about sticking to it, you will shoot your cholesterol through the roof and gain huge amounts of weight. This is a high fat, no carb diet....which means you are using heavy creams, butters, and anything to bring good fats into your system to convert your body from using processed craps into using natural stuff for our energy. So just from this last sentence you can see, if you lie about your diet, you WILL gain weight. You're honest about your diet, more than likely you will lose weight, get in shape, skin will improve, hair quality may improve, and most of all....you're mental outlook on yourself will improve because you will start to notice a change in your body (and lets be honest that's the main reason why we diet). This is a lifestyle choice that you should talk to a Dr. that knows about Ketosis, and have the tests done. I wish I had got my testing done, so I could prove to all the "keto is bad....it'll kill you" fear-mongers wrong with facts, not just personal experience!  
If you want more info, just shoot me a PM. I am no Dr, but love chatting with others about Keto and sharing what I've done and how much it's helped me. First change in 20yrs of tying everything from pills, powders, starving and more pills (probably caused more damage to my body with pills and powders than keto ever will). I am the lightest and fittest I have been since I was 15y/o (41 right now). Heart pains disappeared, with the 50+lbs and the only thing I regret, is I need to buy all new clothing. But most importantly, go talk to a Dr. prior to starting anything!

I do have a couple of questions about this process. I will PM you if that is appropriate tho.  
 
Thank you.

Cutting down our numbers of processed foods is always a good idea. But it can be done by other methods than the Keto diet. More research (not just anecdotal input) is needed before it can be said that the Keto diet is a healthy long-term way of eating. There can be health consequences of any diet that is restrictive. Here are just a couple of links that I found with a quick Google search, I'm sure that a registered dietitian could also provide other input:  
 
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-weight/diet-reviews/ketogenic-diet/  
 
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-keto-diet-ketogenic-kurt-mccormack-heather-mciver-ellis-nutrition-eating-1.4514443

Showcase in Shoppers Mall sells strips (as well as other Keto products).

"Eating real unprocessed food" isn't keto, it's common sense and supported by the new Canada Food Guidelines.  
 
The actual ketogenic diet is a medically prescribed diet that is used to treat medical conditions, including epilepsy. Our daughter almost ended up on it, as a last stop before looking at brain surgery. Fortunately, we finally found a reasonable amount of control using medications.  
 
Keto diets are unhealthy in that the actual medical version is supposed to be done under the supervision of both a physician and a dietician, as they can actually be dangerous and exceptionally difficult to maintain.  
 
edit to add: I'm not saying do or not do the diet. I'm just answering the question asked above.  
 
Edited by Abbysmum, 2019-02-20 15:09:37

We have been on Keto for over a month and a half now. Loving it!! Lost 14lbs but had a bad carb filled weekend so likely gained. Getting back on track.  
 
I don’t know why people think this is unhealthy. Surely using real ingredients is better for you. Sugar is the killer and it amazes me how much there is in so many things. I have done many diets before- weightwatchers, juicing etc and this is definitely something I feel like we can do long term. I am actually satisfied when I eat now. Having PCOS and insulin resistance I already feel a difference.  
 
I wouldn’t worry about test strips. Keep your carbs down and it will all work on its own. One thing I won’t do is count, measure, pee on a stick lol. I just read labels before I buy and wing it.  
 
Check out Brandon Manitoba Keto Group on Facebook.  
 
Now if only more restaurants in town would get on board with offering a Keto menu item.

To answer the original post, urine ketones are not a reliable way to test for ketones. Initially your urine ketones will be high as you are producing more than your body is able to use. As you continue keto, your body will become more adept at using ketones and therefore you will excrete less in your urine. Blood testing is more accurate but can be more expensive. I personally use a Freestyle Precision Neo monitor for testing my ketones. I have been following a keto diet for almost 2 years now. I also test my blood glucose on a semi regular basis.  
 
There is a lot of controversy about the Keto diet. I think an important thing to remember is that not every way of eating will work for everyone. I have tried a vegan WOE in the past but found myself gaining weight because I was constantly hungry. With Keto and an intermittent fasting protocol of 16:8 daily, I am easily able to remain at a mild caloric deficit to lose fat while still having plenty of energy and never getting hangry again. It is important to do your own research and decide whether this lifestyle is right for you.  
 
I will say that I am a medical professional though I would never counsel anyone to use this diet over the internet, it is something that I have heavily researched for myself. Many of the Canada's food guide recommendations are based on old studies heavily influenced by industry. One of the original studies of saturated fats done by Harvard university that stated they were to be avoided was full of clinicians with conflicts of interest with Proctor & Gamble in the 1950s.  
 
I follow a whole foods approach to Keto and do not use many premade products in my diet. I also work hard to use only the best fats and oils. Avoiding vegetable oils is a great way to also reduce inflammation. My main fat sources are butter, ghee, avocado oil and olive oil. If you are eating some processed foods, be sure to read the labels! Many "Keto" friendly foods are as full of junk as their carb laden counterparts.  
 
I think my main point here is to become as educated as possible in whatever way of eating you choose. It can be difficult to wade through the research but well worth it to make your own educated decisions. Best of luck to everyone following a Keto WOE!

I could never limit what foods I eat. When I limit myself I feel deprived and quit trying.  
 
Calorie deficit is all you need to lose weight. I went from a size 18 to a size 10.